How To Enjoy the 2012 Orange County Fair

The very first Orange County Fair was in the summer of 1890 and featured a horse race and a few exhibits. Today, the Orange County Fair boasts 1.4 million visitors and has fast become the “go to” summer event in the Southland. The Orange County Fair will run from July 13 until August 12. This year’s fair theme is “Home Sweet Home.”

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

General Information

OC Fair & Event Center

The 2012 Orange County Fair is open on Wednesday through Sunday until August 12th. Hours are noon to midnight Wednesday through Friday and 10:00am to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. General Admission is $11 for adults, $8 for Seniors (60+), $6 Youth (6-12), Children 5 and under are Free. Group rates for 15+ are available. Super passes which grant access to the fair for all 23 days, provides discounts to special events and coupons are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and $25 for youth. Parking is $7 per vehicles, $15 per bus cash only.
The OC Fair even has a free App for your iPhone or Android, click here for more information.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Promotions and Discounts

Active and veteran Military members get in free to the Orange County Fair daily.
Every Wednesday from 12:00-4:00pm is “We Care Wednesdays” fair admission and one free carnival ride is free with donation. Also on Wednesdays and Thursdays you can purchase a $30 unlimited carnival ride wristband, perfect for the thrill seekers.
Every Thursday is “Kids day” and all kids under 12 get in for free.
Every Friday is $2 rides and $2 games until 4pm.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 11am general admission is only $2.
For children ages 5-11 years old they can participate in the “Read & Ride” program, with 2 submitted book reports, each reader will receive 3 free carnival rides. See website for more details.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Shopping

One of the highlights of the OC Fair is the vast amount of goods to purchase. Set below the gorgeous and generous shade of many trees is the Crafters Village, a neat little area where you can find a one of a kind gift. The festival, parade and carnival of products located in the main mall are ideal places to beat the heat and purchase interesting products you’ve never seen before.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Exhibits

The exhibits at the Orange County Fair for the 2012 season will blow your mind. The Home Sweet Home Theme exhibit features decadent chocolate and is eclectic, fun and tasty. The traditional visual arts exhibit is a must see to view Orange Counties artistic finest. Do not forget to stop by the Crafts & Woodworking exhibit to see handcrafted wood carvings, you will not regret it.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Featured Exhibit

The Feature exhibit of the 2012 OC Fair is “Let Freedom Ring.” Steel beam sections from the World Trade Center are displayed to display unity, patriotism and strength.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Fair Food

If you have a hankering for something fried, grilled, BBQ’d, frosted, frozen, marinated, crunchy, chewy, gooey or sweet the OC Fair is the place for you. One of the best attributes of the fair is definitely the fair food. Be adventurous and try the fried frog legs from Chicken Charlies! And of course no trip to the fair would be complete without funnel cake!

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Family Fair Way

Located away from the hub bub of the Fair is the Family Fair Way, a special section for families with younger children. With several surrounding picnic tables, kid friendly carnival rides and games, plenty of prime food spots, restrooms and the Camp Fun Zone nearby you could spend your entire day inside the Family Fair Way. The Camp Fun Zone is an enclosed exhibit designed especially for kids in mind with a large sandbox in the center surrounded by fun games, crafts, toys and even snakes to see, do and touch.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Centennial Farm and Livestock

Pet baby chicks, view baby pigs and sheep, watch a milking demonstration and see fruit and vegetables grow right before your eyes- this is just a few of the things you can do within the Centennial Farm. Located to the upper right hand corner of the fairgrounds is the Livestock exhibits complete with a petting zoo, pig races, livestock show ring and pavilions.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Special Happenings

There is something special going on every day at the OC Fair so make sure you pick up a daily events calendar from guest services or download the available app to see what is going on. The Hangar features live music entertainment by the hottest cover bands in town. The Action Sports Arena will be having extreme entertainment such as bull riding and BMX big-air shows. The Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre will be hosting the hottest shows of the summer. Plus, celebrity chef shows, pig races, pogopalooza, wine seminars, culinary contests, the Fun Run, Food Truck Thursdays and so much more.

(credit: Desiree Eaglin)

Guest Services

The Orange County Fair reams superior in guest services, with a comfortable and air controlled baby convenience center that is perfect for nursing mothers, to stroller, wagon and wheelchair rentals, several information booths throughout the grounds, to first aid, lockers, lost and found, lost children services and to a guest service office that can help you with nearly anything.

Desiree Eaglin has been going to the Orange County Fair since she was a little girl. Once upon a time she even won a 2nd place ribbon in the youth photography division. Now she enjoys extending the tradition of going to the OC Fair with her own children. he blogs at Sarcastic, Funny and Brutally Honest. You can find her on Twitter too.